The Shadow Minister for Transport, Mr Lindsay Tanner, today announced that a Beazley Labor Government will provide the necessary funds to widen the National Highway and add a passing lane between Bluewater and Leichhardt Creeks, north of Townsville.

“The National Highway between Townsville and Cairns is of tremendous importance to northern Queensland and the country as a whole.

“The Coalition has systematically cut funding for the National Highway. This has meant that less money has been available for important maintenance and upgrading work on the National Highway throughout northern Queensland. For regional communities like Townsville this means fewer jobs and less economic activity.

“Labor will ensure that the focus of Commonwealth road funding returns to the National Highway.

“The National Highway between Bluewater and Leichhardt Creeks provides a classic example of the projects not getting funded under the Howard Government. Labor will provide $5.1 million during its first full year in office to repair and widen this stretch of highway and add a passing lane. I have been assured by the Queensland Transport Minister, Steve Bredhauer, that the Queensland Main Roads Department will be ready to commence work when the money is available.

“The former Labor Government approved this work several years ago and the Queensland Main Roads Department got as far as granting a contract for the work to a local construction firm. However, because of the Howard Government’s cuts, the work has been cancelled. This has not only affected road users but also cost jobs in far north Queensland.

“In contrast to the Coalition’s road funding cuts and broken promises, Labor is committed to improving transport outcomes in for north Queensland by meeting its commitments to provide Australia with a world class National Highway system,” Mr Tanner said in Townsville today.